cherrihqrts

[cherrihqrts]

Is all of this really necessary??😭

[cherrihqrts]

my opinion on - classroom etiquette!!

i have been noticing that we are losing simple manners, and reminders about this are always important. sometimes i feel we have gotten away from good etiquette in dance classes. maybe it's time for a quick review session. everyone learns better in an environment that is positive and respectful.

• being on time: let's first talk about being on time, or better yet being early to class. when you arrive late to class, you are rushed and frantic and disruptive to everyone in the room. you need time to be in the best mindset for your class so arriving early is a necessity. i always say if so you are not early then you are late. obviously things happen and we know that, but please respect the teacher and the class by being aware of your time and theirs.

• cell phones: cell phones should never be in the dance room with you. i can't believe i even need to say this but it is happening all the time. also, please don't go and look at your phone on water breaks. you get distracted and it is very disrespectful to your instructors and coaches.

• attire: please wear the correct attire for your classes. this is simple but very important.

• sitting down in class: dancers please do not sit down in class. it is amazing how often i have to correct dancers about this. when you sit down your muscles get cold and injuries can happen. plus it is disrespectful to your teacher. leaning against the wall is also not proper etiquette. be present everyone and your class experience will go to another level.

• yawning: please don't yawn. i do not have anything else to say about this.

• being aware of your space: be aware of your dance space especially if you are in a crowded class. no one wants any injuries to happen when there isn't room to go as full out as you would like. be patient and wait for groups if the room is full. if you accidently hit someone, please apologize and maybe you can make a new friend.

• saying thank you: two simple words go a long way dancers. saying a simple thank you can make people feel appreciated. did someone do something nice for you? always remember to say thank you and show them extra kindness.

it's also always nice to tell a teacher thank you after class. teachers work hard behind the scenes to make class special for you. even if something is expected, it's just a great gesture to say thank you. be appreciative after class, your teachers and choreographers work hard and go above and beyond for you. i know that they love to hear "thank you".

[cherrihqrts]

my opinion on - formations/staging in routines!!

some people can relate to the feeling of always being put in the back or never getting special parts in their dances. dancing in a group means that you won’t always be in the front, it’s just the nature of group activities! is being in the back row in a dance routine bad? NO! there are many cases where keeping dancers in the back is needed and warranted. when considering stage placement, teachers use a variety of methods to place dancers. often ability has very little to do with it, and instead, teachers consider things like height, retention ability, and stage presence.

front and center is the most coveted spot for a dancer in a group routine. it is also a spot with the most responsibility, meaning that the rest of the group will rely on that dancer to keep spacing consistent and to be a leader in remembering the routine. the front and center dancer has no one else to look to if they forget the steps. therefore, i need them to have a great memory, confidence in themselves to be a leader, and excellent showmanship. do I need them to be the very best dancer in the class? nope. but is the very best dancer in the class also usually the one with a great memory, true confidence, and excellent performance quality? yes.

dancers who are placed in the back row fall into one of two categories for me as a choreographer. sometimes, they’re my weakest dancer, and i place them there because there are the most opportunities for them to watch others if they forget the routine. other times, it’s one of my strongest dancers, because as a judge, i look to the back row first to see who is hiding. strong choreographers know how to integrate all of their dancers, and not just hide their weakest. if i see a full back row of weak dancers, i am concerned that the choreographer hasn’t done their due diligence to ensure dancers are include d fairly. there are also many more formations than just a few lines on stage. a creative and thoughtful choreographer will utilize a variety of formations in a routine, not to mention many formations can also travel, allowing even more dancers to be seen. also, i will place dancers in the back row if they’re working less than the others (not working hard enough, not paying attention enough, lacking discipline, not coming to class enough, etc) in hopes that they can learn from that. if you reward dancers who don't show the discipline, respect, and work ethic that dance needs… it’s just teaching everyone that that stuff is not important and that you can just be lazy and still get what you want. usually people who either don't know the choreo or don't know how to perform just don't care as much. there are exceptions but this is usually what i encounter.

as a teacher i’m always trying my best to make my students feel wanted, appreciated, and like they belong in my dance. however, if a dancer has been given a high-profile placement in a routine, they have to prove to me throughout the rehearsal process that they can handle that responsibility. as i just explained, some stage positions require a greater or lesser level of confidence and leadership, and it’s my job as a teacher to know which of my students can handle those positions. understand that nobody deserves to have a special part, but they are rewarded through hard work. you must earn it. sometimes it just doesn’t happen and thats okay! chances are, you're gonna get to be in the front eventually. trust your teachers process and don't be entitled.

on the same note, i’d like to touch on dancers demanding front space. in my experience i can say that it’s usually the lazy people who ask for and demand to be in the front, never a working student. the entitlement will always shock me. you don’t EVER get to choose your spot. you go where the choreographer says, period. i promise that they will always have a reason. and again, everyone eventually gets some kind of visibility, i’m not trying to hide anyone. however, us teachers see what we need to see throughout the year. i know not only who who is a "better dancer”, but also who is working hard, who is having problems, who is lazy, who just does not care, and who is just "gifted" but has terrible attitude. unfortunately there are some teachers who just won't see anything other than "good dancing" and that is also a problem, for sure.

to add on to this, it’s even worse when parents are demanding for their child to have front space. PSA DANCE PARENTS… YOUR DANCER DOESN'T HAVE TO BE FRONT AND CENTER TO BE SPECIAL! why is it so important that your dancer be in the center for every dance? and why would you leave a studio just to make this happen? training is the most important thing for your dancer and should be your only priority. it isn't about placement in dances or how many dances you are doing. it is about getting a proper dance education and learning to be the best student and teammate possible. from my experience in this industry, parents are constantly looking for the next best thing and the best place where their dancer can be the star, and it never works. the child gets burnt out, their friendships will change and eventually they will end up wanting to quit. trust me when i say your dancer is special because they love to dance and because you support them. your dancer is special because they are unique and showcase their best self everyday. your dancer is special because they support their friends, teachers, and studio. it's very simple! put training first and watch your dancer grow into someone beautiful inside and out.

there are pros and cons to being placed in every position on stage. we often believe we need a lead role or a solo to be noticed. however, whether you're front and center or tucked away in the back corner, your place on stage matters and doesn't go unnoticed. dancing for the pure love of it, rather than for applause or prestige, is what truly shines. remember, it truly is your emotion and passion for performing that will always catch the spotlight, regardless of where you are on the stage. if you’ve been placed in the back row, this is a reminder that the back row is not all that bad! what matters the most is that you’re having fun with your teammates doing what you love.

[cherrihqrts]

my opinion on - bullying in dance!!

i’ve heard a lot of people say to me that their dance journey was not always a happy one. i was so sad to hear that, so i decided i needed to write this entry. i do not like this topic, but i feel it needs to be an open discussion so we can continue to improve ourselves and others. dancers… let's be honest and open with this topic. have you ever felt bullied or made fun of by someone? have you ever been the one to make someone feel sad and rejected in some way?

i know we are not going to get along with everyone, but making someone feel hurt or sad is never the answer. at a studio i previously worked at, i kept hearing awful stories of dancers being made fun of because of something they wear, a skill they aren't doing correctly, or because they messed up at a competition. what are we really getting out of being mean to someone? does it really make you feel better? i’ve even heard stories of dancers being made fun of for their bodies and the color of their skin. i was absolutely devastated to hear that and heartbroken for those poor kids. what made it even worse was the fact that their directors allowed it to happen because it was the two ‘favorites' doing it. that was truly awful and a major reason why i decided to quit working there.

i have said this before and i will say it again - you do not know what someone is going through in their lives. if you can't be kind when you speak, then just don't say anything. it doesn't take any extra energy to just be nice. if you think you are gaining more friends by being mean, you are incorrect. you are just gaining the wrong friends.

teachers, choreographers, directors and coaches (including myself) do not want to work with mean dancers who bully others to feel better about themselves. remember that this world is already full of negativity. you need to be the bright light of positivity to make this world a better place. please remember that the next time you hear someone make fun of someone or put them down. rise up and stand up for being nice. if you have bullied someone before, make the change. you are the only one who can truly make a difference in this behavior so more dancers have a positive journey.

[cherrihqrts]

my opinion on - dancer losses at competition!!

lots of life lessons are made at competitions for both dancers, and their families + teachers. as the kids get older and wiser, they lose the ability to be blissfully unaware of wins/losses and not caring what other people think. we try to hold on to this for as long as we can, but it doesn’t last forever. i try to put very little emphasis on awards and things because i don't want the kids to ever feel that their worth is based off of some random people’s judgement, but when they don’t feel good about themselves that is a tough thing to handle.

in dance competitions, it's important to remember that you’re going to lose more than you win. that’s just part of the process. each time you don’t place or don’t get the result you hoped for, it's an opportunity to learn and grow. it’s easy to feel upset when you lose, but try not to take it personally. focus on what you can improve for next time, whether it's technique, performance, or even mindset. winning isn’t the only measure of success—sometimes the biggest wins are the lessons you learn and the progress you make, even if it’s not reflected in the results.

for example, at our competition showcase, one of my students blanked on stage towards the end of her solo. this was the first time this had ever happened to her. despite all the support from her friends and teachers, she felt that she let both herself and me down. it didn’t matter how many times i told her she was great or how proud i was that she kept going—she’s headstrong, and her mind was made up. the week leading up to showcase had been tough for her; she had been sick, in her head, doubting herself, and i was hoping that getting on stage would shake off the fear and help her feel like herself again. but things don’t always work out that way, and her nerves got the best of her. i will always be proud of her, no matter what. but here’s the lesson: we talked about it, we rehearsed, she practiced at home, and we built her confidence back up in the studio. then, at competition two weeks later, she performed her solo better than she ever had before!

this happens to everyone, and it looks different for each person. i know that all of my students will work through these ups and downs—they’re so strong, and they always rise above. although these lessons are necessary, they are never fun and they are never easy. keep your head up, stay focused on your journey, and know that every setback brings you closer to becoming a better dancer.

[cherrihqrts]

my opinion on - studio hopping!!

it’s honestly pretty normal to have attended multiple studios. whether it’s due to moving, finding the right teachers or programs, or financial changes, it's understandable that people may have been a part of different studios. to me, a "studio hopper" refers to those who switch in bad faith—like those who sign up for free trials with no intention of actually joining, those who leave one studio to join another and then come back in hopes of getting on the competition team after not making it at their new studio, or those who switch studios to escape drama and try to leave before they’re kicked out.

studio hopping is generally viewed negatively in the dance world for several reasons. first, it can be seen as disrespectful to the studio and its community. constantly switching studios without properly addressing concerns can create tension and disrupt the stable, supportive environment that studios work hard to build. it also reflects a lack of commitment, which is crucial in dance, especially in competitive settings. frequent moves prevent dancers from establishing a strong foundation and mastering technique, as well as building lasting relationships with teachers and teammates. additionally, switching studios too often can result in inconsistent training, as different studios have different approaches, which can confuse dancers and hinder their growth. if someone is hopping between studios due to drama or personal issues, it can create unnecessary disruptions and negative energy, impacting both the dancer and their peers. moreover, studio hopping can harm team dynamics, as trust and cohesion are essential in group settings.

this ties into what i like to call "studio shopping"—when someone is constantly looking to leave where they are and has one foot out the door. i understand if you're unhappy and considering other options, but for every season to seem like you’d already rather be at another studio is frustrating and disrespectful. again, it all comes down to good faith. is there something that you feel the studio isn’t providing or needs to improve on? if so, just be upfront and honest with the director, give them a chance to address your concerns, and approach the situation with integrity. remember, they can’t fix something that they don’t know is a problem! don’t be sneaky, shady, or stir up unnecessary drama. if that’s not the case then why feel the need to constantly look for something “better”? if you think that you are too good for a program or studio then just leave, simple as that. no need to lie about it, make a scene of it, or to ruin it for others by trash talking the studio.

as a teacher, all i want is a simple goodbye, and to not be badmouthed over issues that weren’t discussed with me directly. i understand that every dancer has individual needs, and i’m not always right, and neither is the studio. family comes first, and that impacts dance. i will always be supportive of those who do the right thing—who thank me and leave respectfully. when people spread lies about you or leave based on false information they never bothered to clarify, it’s hurtful for everyone involved. overall, commitment and consistency are highly valued in dance, and approaching your training with integrity is key to both personal and collective growth.

[cherrihqrts]

my opinion on - tricks in routines!!

if i have a dancer who loves doing tricks and is strong at them, personally, i’m going to make sure to showcase that in their routine. however there’s a difference between showcasing some tricks and doing a solo that's just trick after trick. tricks should be a complement, not the base of solo.

the dance world has changed a lot over the years, and i love that dancers are now being recognized as both artists and athletes. but with that shift, i think we need to have an open conversation about tricks, safety, and choreography. are all the new fun tricks impressive? absolutely! but they need to be taught when a dancer is technically ready to learn them. dancers are watching tiktok and youtube and wanting to learn tricks and skills that their bodies are not yet ready for. if a dancer is not strong enough to do a simpler technical element, then they shouldn’t be progressing to something five stages ahead of where they currently are. this is when injuries happen that can sideline dancers for months, or in some cases, take them out of dance permanently.

once a dancer has a certain skill set, they can then begin adding those tricks into choreography. however, dance is not a series of tricks. they need to be used when the music and emotion of the song call for them. i truly feel this is an issue in solo choreography. every single trick you know should not be included in one solo. where is the dancing? where is the connection with the audience if they’re just doing trick after trick?

it’s also important to have this discussion if you are wanting to dance professionally one day. is it great for you to have learned all of these skills growing up? absolutely! but you are going to get hired on your artistry and performance quality in the real dance world. if you talk to dancers auditioning, they are not asked to do multiple leg hold turns or front handsprings. they are asked to show true technique, artistry, and performance quality from the heart.

[cherrihqrts]

my opinion on - dancers correcting other dancers!!

i used to be that dancer who wanted to correct everyone in class or during a routine. i get it—you just want to help and make the group better, but honestly, it often comes off as rude or harsh. dancers should hold back on giving corrections or tips unless someone directly asks for it. remember, you're not the teacher! it's not your job to point out what others are doing wrong, and who knows, maybe you're the one who's doing it wrong.

as a team, the main thing is to focus on supporting each other’s growth and lifting each other up. in class, pay attention to your own corrections, learn from your teammates’ mistakes and successes, and apply those lessons to your own dancing. trust me, there are times when dancers are having a bad day and can’t mentally handle even a correction from the teacher (who can usually tell when that's the case). protecting others’ mental health is way more important than any correction.

if you feel like you really need to point something out, ask the teacher so it comes across as a general question. or, if you still want to offer advice, wait until after class and ask the person privately, "is it okay if i give you some advice?" otherwise, just focus on your own journey and let others do the same.